Trump Jnr frustrated over Turnberry snub
Turnberry boss Eric Trump insists golf’s rulers will not be able to ignore the Carrick resort forever.
The Ailsa links have yet again missed out on hosting the Open Championship, with the R& A instead plumping for a quick return to Royal Troon in 2023.
And while that decision has privately frustrated officials down the coast at Turnberry, they insist their time will come.
Speaking exclusively to the Post, Trump said: “By almost everyone’s account, Turnberry is the best course on the Open rota.
“We know that the event will return here one day and we very much look forward to that day.
“The hotel has never been as successful as it is right now.
“The golf course is also widely recognised as one of the very best in the world and the accolades continue to come for it.
“We’re very proud of what we’ve done here and when the time is right, the tournament will absolutely be back.”
The R& A have steered clear of any political storm which would have come with sending their marquee event to Turnberry.
More than £ 200m has been spent overhauling the courses and hotel at the venue since Donald Trump’s purchase in 2014.
But the R& A insist logistical problems around the location – not concerns about the US President – was the deciding factor in their decision.
The body’s chief executive, Martin Slumbers, said: “As you start to build out the scale of The Open and position it, infrastructure becomes really important.
“We need to have much more detailed conversations with the
Scottish Government about infrastructure for Turnberry because it’s difficult to get people there.
“It’s one of the key issues we need to solve.
“It’s a single carriage road to get down to Turnberry but it is a fantastic golf course.”
More than 200,000 are expected to attend this year’s Open at Royal St George’s – in contrast to the 123,000 who watched Stewart Cink win the last event held at Turnberry in 2009.
Troon will welcome the world’s best golfers 100 years on from the first time it played host to the famous event in 1923.
Slumbers added: “Royal Troon is one of the world’s greatest championships links.
“It has produced many memorable moments throughout the history of The Open including the dramatic duel between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson that captivated millions of fans around the world in 2016.
Royal Troon captain, Des Bancewicz, said: “We are delighted to welcome the return of the world’s oldest major golf championship to Royal Troon and regard this as confirmation of the wonderful condition to which our historic links are maintained. The 152nd Open will also provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate 100 years of the Championship’s history at Royal Troon which commenced with Arthur Havers’ victory in 1923.”
Troon will also play host to ths year’s Women’s British Open between August 20- 23.